Rotating pneumatic vibrator

ABSTRACT

A rotating pneumatic vibrator in which a cylindrical housing is provided with an axial shaft spaced inwardly from the walls of the housing to provide a circular space between the shaft and the housing. A cylindrical rotor having a diameter greater than the shaft and smaller than the housing is mounted on the shaft for movement thereabout. A longitudinally extending radially moveable vane is mounted in the shaft and is arranged to be pneumatically pressed against the rotor. Air forces the vane against the rotor and escapes into the chamber formed between the shaft and the rotor. The air forces the rotor to move about the shaft and then escapes to the atmosphere with the rotor and vane returned to their beginning point. The motion is continuous and produces vibrations due to the off center rotary movement of the rotor during which it strikes the shaft or both the shaft and housing.

United States Patent Wadensten [54] ROTATING PNEUMATIC VIBRATOR [72] Inventor: Theodore S. Wadensten, 26 Snyder Ave.,

Ramsey, NJ. 07644 [22] Filed: Oct. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 79,442

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 42,791,1une 2, 1970,

Pat. No. 3,638,914. v V v s21 u.s.c1 ..2s9/1 R, 259/DIG. 43- 51 lnt.Cl. ..B01t11/00 5s FieldoISearch .,259/1R,DIG.43,DIG.44,

14 1 June 27, 1972 Primary Examiner-Walter A. Scheel Assistant Examiner-Alan I. Cantor Attorney-Herman, Davidson & Berman [5 7] ABSTRACT A rotating pneumatic vibrator in which a cylindrical housing is provided with an axial shaft spaced inwardly from the walls of the housing to provide a circular space between the shaft and the housing. A cylindrical rotor having a diameter greater than the shaft and smaller than the housing is mounted on the shaft for movement thereabout. A longitudinally extending radially moveable vane is mounted in the shaft and is arranged to be pneumatically pressed against the rotor. Air forces the vane against the rotor and escapes into the chamber formed between the shaft and the rotor. The air forces the rotor to move about the shaft and then escapes to the atmosphere with the rotor and vane returned to their beginning point. The motion is continuous and produces vibrations due to the off center rotary movement of the rotor during which it strikes the shaft or both the shaft and housing.

10 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHZ'I 1972 3. 672.639

SHEET 1 [1F 3 INVENTOR. 72 77/5000/95 s. W40NS raw,

Z ATTORNEYS.

The instant application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 42,791 filed June 2, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,914, entitled Rotating Pneumatic Vibrator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to rotary pneumatic vibrators of the type which are caused to vibrate by the rotation of an off center member within the vibrator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The vibrator includes a cylindrical housing having a central fixed shaft mounted therein and spaced inwardly from the housing to provide a circular space surrounding the shaft. The shaft has a longitudinally extending radially moveable vane which is adapted to engage against the inner face of a circular rotor mounted between the shaft and the housing. The vane is pneumatically driven against the rotor and also serves as a valve to control the air flow into the space between the shaft and the rotor. As air pressure is applied to the vane and to the space between the shaft and rotor, the rotor is caused to move about the shaft with the air escaping through ports on the far side of the shaft to permit the rotor to return to its starting position. The movement of the rotor creates a unbalanced condition and causes vibration in the device.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a rotating pneumatic vibrator having a minimum of working parts to permit along life without excessive wear.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end elevation of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken'along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3- 3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4- 4 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the. elements in advanced position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 with the elements in a still further advanced position; 1

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shaft and vane forming part of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the vane illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7;

FIG. 9 is an end elevation of the vane illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of a modified vane structure;

FIG. 11 is an end elevation of another modified vane structure;

FIG. 12 is an end elevation of another modified vane structure;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation of another modified vane structure;

FIG. 14 is an end elevation of a modified shaft; and

FIG. 15 is an end elevation of another modified shaft.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 5 housing 11 by a plurality of cap screws 17. A threaded outlet bore 18 extends through the plate 16in aligned relation to the outlet bore 15'. Either the outlet bore 18 or the bore 15' may be omitted if desired.

A shaft 19 is positioned axially in the housing 11 between the end plates l3, l6. Cap screws 20 secure the shaft 19 to the end plate 13 securing them against relative rotation. Cap screws 21 similarly secure the shaft 19 to the end plate 16.

The shaft 19 has a radial slot 28 formed therein extending longitudinally throughout its length as can be clearly seen in FIG. 7. The slot 28 is adapted to receive a generally rectangular vane 29 which extends from the end wall 13 to the end wall 16 and is adapted for radial reciprocation in the slot 28. The bore 15 extends through the end plate 13 communicating with the slot 28 at its inner end. An air supply pipe 31 is connected to the bore 15 by means of a fitting 32. A bore 33 extends through the shaft 19 communicating with the bores 15, 18 in the end caps 13 and 16. Exhaust pipes 34 are connected to the bores 15', 18 by means of fittings 35.

The vane 29 has a plurality of slots 36 formed therein and opening through one side face of the vane 29 and the bottom face thereof. The slots 36 are positioned in the vane 29 so that with the vane 29 in its innermost position the upper ends of the slots 36 are within the confines of the radial slot 28 in the shaft 19 so that the flow of air outwardly through the slots 36 is obstructed. The slots 36, when a plurality of them are used are spaced closer together at the end of the vane 29 furthest removed from the air inlet pipe 31 to balance the forces on the vane 29 so that the vane 29 moves up in a straight line and is not jammed during its movement.

A plurality of exhaust bores 37 extend upwardly and angularly from the bore 33 through the side of the shaft 19 with their outer ends terminating closely adjacent the slot 28 on the side thereof opposite the slots 36, in vane 29.

A cylindrical rotor 38 having a length equal to the housing 11 is positioned between the shaft 19 and the housing 11 in engagement with the vane 29. The rotor 38 has an internal diameter substantially greater then the external diameter of the shaft 19 and has an external diameter substantially less than the internal diameter of the housing 11. The inner and outer diameters of the rotor 38 may be varied so that it strikes either the shaft 19 or both the shaft 19 and the housing 11 during each revolution.

The vibrator described above includes six parts namely the cylindrical housing 11, end plates 13,. I6, shaft 19, vane 29, and rotor 38. All parts of the vibrator 10 are stationary with the exception of the rotor 38 and the vane 29.

In the use and operation of the invention the cylindrical housing 11 is rigidly secured to any device to be vibrated and the pipe 31 is connected to a source of air under pressure. The pipes 34 are connected to any exhaust system for leading the exhaust air away from the vibrator 10.

In the use and operation of the invention compressed air enters through the bore 15 and enters the slot 28 raising the vane 29 into contact with the rotor 38 forcing the rotor 38 into contact with the shaft 19 immediately below the vane 29 assuming the position illustrated in FIG. 4. This creates an air chamber 39 between the vane 29, the rotor 38 and shaft 19, as also can be seen in FIG. 4. The slots 36 communicate with the chamber 39. The second chamber 40 is formed on the opposite side of the shaft 19 and the bores 37 communicate with the chamber 40. The chamber 39 is a high pressure chamber and the chamber 40 is a low pressure chamber. It should be noted that the rotor 38 may also contact the housing 11 directly opposite the point of contact with the shaft 19 when desired.

Air flowing through the slots 36 from the slot 28 will increase the size of the chamber 39 forcing the rotor to the left and downwardly to the position as seen in FIG. 5. The chamber 40 is decreased in size with the air flowing therefrom outwardly through the bores 37 into the exhaust bore 33. As more air is supplied through the slots 36 the chamber 39 increases in size as can be. seen in FIG. 6 and the chamber 40 disappears. As the rotor 38 comes to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 the chamber 39 communicates with the bores 37 and the slot 28 shuts off the upper ends of the slots 36 so that no more air is supplied to the chamber 39 and the high pressure air in the chamber 39 is permitted to begin to escape through the bores 37. As soon as the slots 36 are closed, high pressure air begins to build up behind the vane 29 and it is forced upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 raising the rotor 38 and returning the rotor 38 to its beginning point as seen in FIG. 4. The motion of the rotor 38 is a combination of rotation and impacting as it strikes the shaft 19 or the shaft 19 and cylindrical housing 11 together due to the force applied by vane 29. Vibration is thus created. With a steady supply of air under pressure several thousand impacts per minute are created in the vibrator 10. The opposite ends of the rotor 38 are in sliding and sealing contact with the end plates l3, 16. The vane 29 is also in sliding and sealing contact with the end plates l3, 16 as well as with the rotor 38.

The inner or lower end of the vane 29 is sloped from end to end at 41 to prevent the vane 29 from completely closing the inlet bore 15 by moving completely into the slot 28.

In FIG. 10 a modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein a vane 129 having slots 136 in the side thereof is provided with a hollow V-shaped groove 141 extending from one end to the other thereof to provide communication between the grooves 136 and the, air inlet bore 15.

In FIG. 11 another modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein a vane 229 is provided with a plurality of grooves 236 and the bottom edge is sloped at 241 from side to side to provide communication between the grooves 236 and the air inlet bore 15.

In FIG. 12 a further modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein a vane 329 is provided with a plurality of grooves 336 in a side wall thereof and the bottom wall is semicylindrically grooved at 341 from end to end to provide communication between the grooves 336 and the air inlet bore 15.

A further modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 13 wherein a vane 429 is provided with a plurality of grooves 436 opening through the side wall thereof and the bottom face thereof is grooved at 441 over one half its width underlying the grooves 436 and communicating therewith. The grooves 436 are communicated with the air inlet bore 15 by means of the sloped bottom wall 441.

In FIG. 14 the shaft 1 19 has a bore B at the inner end of the longitudinal groove 128 to communicate the grooves 36 in the side of the vane 29 with the air inlet bore 15 when using a vane 29 with a rectangular lower face which would otherwise seal the air inlet bore 15.

In FIG. 15 another modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein the shaft 219 is provided with a semi-cylindrical bottom surface S at the inner end of the radial groove 228 to provide communication between the grooves 36 and the threaded bore I5 when using a vane 29 having a generally rectangular inner face which would otherwise seal the inlet bore l5.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary pneumatic vibrator comprising a cylindrical housing, a pair of circular end plates detachably secured to opposite ends of said housing, a shaft mounted axially of said housing and contained wholly between said end plates, means securing said shaft to said end plates to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said shaft having a radial slot formed therein extending longitudinally from one of said end plates to the other of said end plates, one of said end plates having an air inlet bore extending therethrough communicating with the slot in said shaft, said shaft having a longitudinal exhaust bore formed therein, and communicating with a bore extending through at least one end plate, a plurality of transverse exhaust bores extending from said longitudinal exhaust bore through the circumference of said shaft, a vane mounted in said slot for radial reciprocation therein, said vane having at least one air supply slot opening through the side wall and bottom edge thereof, said air supply slot being closed by said radial slot when said vane is at its inner end, said transverse exhaust bores being positioned closely adjacent the side of said radial slot opposite said air supply slot, and a cylindrical rotor having an inner diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft and an outer diameter less than the inner diameterof said housing loosely mounted about said shaft within said housing, whereby upon application of air under pressure to said inlet bore said vane is forced outwardly of said radial slot and said rotor is forced to move about said shaft in an unbalanced condition, striking at least said shaft during each rotation cycle.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said exhaust bore extends completely through said shaft.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotor slidably and sealingly engages the end plates at opposite ends thereof.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane slidably and sealingly engages said end plates at opposite ends thereof.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer portion of said vane slidably and sealingly engages the inner face of said rotor.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof sloped from end to end with the deepest portion of the slope adjacent the inlet bore in said end plate.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof sloped from side to side.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof sloped from end to end in one-half the width thereof communicating with the slots in said vane, with the deepest portion of the slope adjacent the inlet bore in said end plate.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof formed into a hollow groove extending from end to end of said vane.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof formed into a hollow semi-cylindrical groove extending from end to end of said vane. 

1. A rotary pneumatic vibrator comprising a cylindrical housing, a pair of circular end plates detachably secured to opposite ends of said housing, a shaft mounted axially of said housing and contained wholly between said end plates, means securing said shaft to said end plates to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said shaft having a radial slot formed therein extending longitudinally from one of said end plates to the other of said end plates, one of said end plates having an air inlet bore extending therethrough communicating with the slot in said shaft, said shaft having a longitudinal exhaust bore formed therein, and communicating with a bore extending through at least one end plate, a plurality of transverse exhaust bores extending from said longitudinal exhaust bore through the circumference of said shaft, a vane mounted in said slot for radial reciprocation therein, said vane having at least one air supply slot opening through the side wall and bottom edge thereof, said air supply slot being closed by said radial slot when said vane is at its inner end, said transverse exhaust bores being positioned closely adjacent the side of said radial slot opposite said air supply slot, and a cylindrical rotor having an inner diameter greater than the diameter of said shaft and an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said housing loosely mounted about said shaft within said housing, whereby upon application of air under pressure to said inlet bore said vane is forced outwardly of said radial slot and said rotor is forced to move about said shaft in an unbalanced condition, striking at least said shaft during each rotation cycle.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said exhaust bore extends completely through said shaft.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotor slidably and sealingly engages the end plates at opposite ends thereof.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane slidably and sealingly engages said end plates at opposite ends thereof.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer portion of said vane slidably and sealingly engages the inner face of said rotor.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof sloped from end to end with the deepest portion of the slope adjacent the inlet bore in said end plate.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof sloped from side to side.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof sloped from end to end in one-half the width thereof communicating with the slots in said vane, with the deepest portion of the slope adjacent the inlet bore in said end plate.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof formed into a hollow groove extending from end to end of said vane.
 10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vane has the inner face thereof formed into a hollow semi-cylindrical groove extending from end to end of said vane. 